The Germans have been accused of not trying hard enough by the countries athletic federation director Thomas Kurschilgen, while others have defended the girls calling it one of the most uplifting moments.

The 26-year-olds finished the race in two hours and 45 minutes - 15 minutes slower than their personal bests.

'The Hahner twins Lisa and Anna ended their Olympic marathon race more than 21 minutes behind the winner (and) more than 15 minutes on their best performance, (in position) 81 and 82. It looked as though they completed a fun run and not (an) Olympic (race),' Kurschilgen told reporters.

Kurschilgen also said in an email published by The New York Times:'Victory and medals are not the only goal.

'Still, every athlete in the Olympic competitions should be motivated to demonstrate his or her best performance and aim for the best possible result.'

'Their main aim was to generate media attention. That is what we criticize.'

The Hanhners have been accused of not trying hard enough after crossing the Olympic marathon finish line holding hands

The sisters posted a picture of themselves waving German flags at the 2016 Rio Olympic games opening ceremony

Many fans were equally as angry, calling the act unsportsmanlike and claiming the twins did it as a marketing ploy to try and gain sponsors.

One fan commented that even though the action was 'very sweet', it was not appropriate at the Olympic Games.

But others defended the girls with one fan saying: 'You've done a good job, German sports need athletes like you two.'

The twins defended their efforts on Facebook saying that although they were a long way from the medals, the memory of finishing an Olympic event with a sibling is something that could not be replaced.

'Number 81 and 82. Definitely not what we had hoped for,' the twins wrote.

'Whether we are satisfied? No. Crossing the finish line? Nevertheless, one of our greatest sporting moments.'

The twins said finishing the marathon holding hands was one of their greatest sporting moments

According to the twins Anna (left) only caught up with sister Lisa (right) towards the end of the race

The twins also said in an email to The New York Times that they didn't run the whole race together and it was only towards the end of the race that Anna caught up to sister Lisa.

'After 40 kilometers, there was a turning point, and I knew, 'Okay Anna, two kilometers to go to close the gap to Lisa,' the twins wrote.

'I invested all I had and 300 meters before the finish line, I was next to Lisa. It was a magical moment that we could finish this marathon together.'

The Hahner's were not the only siblings to take part in the race with Korean twins Kim Hye-Gyong and Kim Hye-Song and Estonian triplets Lily, Liina and Leila Luik also competing.

Kim Hye-Gyong and Kim Hye-Song also crossed the line together in 10th and 11th spot in a time of 2:28:36.

Kim Hye-Gyong (left) and Kim Hye-Song (right) finished the Rio marathon in exactly the same time

Lily, Liina and Leila Luik are believed to be the first identical triplets to compete against each other at an Olympic games

Lily (left) , Liina (centre) and Leila Luik (right) joined two sets of twins in the marathon

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German twins Anna and Lisa Hahner who crossed Rio finish line together divide fans